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Leeds United: Warnock’s appointment ‘best possible decision’ - Derry INTERVIEW
Shaun Derry in match action for QPR. PIC: PA
Leeds United’s chance of promotion this season is alive and well with Neil Warnock as manager, according to former vice-captain Shaun Derry.
In an interview with the Yorkshire Evening Post, Derry described Warnock’s appointment as “the best possible decision” and warned Championship clubs against writing Leeds out of the fight for a play-off position.
Derry, 34, was a central figure in the Queens Park Rangers squad who won the Championship title during Warnock’s one full season as manager at Loftus Road, and he said the 63-year-old’s track record in England’s second tier made him an obvious target for Leeds chairman Ken Bates in the aftermath of Simon Grayson’s sacking.
“It’s the best possible decision Ken Bates could have made,” Derry told the YEP. “Not just in the long-term but for this season as well.
“He’ll do big things over time but don’t underestimate the difference he’ll make here and now. His ability to lift a flat dressing room and do it overnight is amazing. Sometimes that’s all you need.”
Derry worked under Warnock at Sheffield United and Crystal Palace, and he followed him to Loftus Road after Warnock left Palace to become QPR boss in 2010.
The midfielder was ever-present in Championship fixtures last season as QPR won the division by four points and he claimed Warnock would be “tailor-made” for the job at Elland Road, where Derry played between 2005 and 2008.
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“Leeds are more than just a football club,” Derry said. “There’s the history and the expectation of the supporters, which is more than just a cliche.
“How well you do at Leeds depends on how well you deal with the pressure of wearing the white shirt.
“I’ve gone on record as saying that many players have played exceptional football before and after going to Leeds but struggled for as long as they’ve been there. It’s not the right club for everybody and it’s easy to underestimate the pressure involved.
“The same is probably true of managers. A lot of guys who succeed elsewhere would struggle at Elland Road and that’s the way it’ll always be.
“You need the right man for the situation as it stands and right now Leeds need someone with Neil’s experience and authority. Whenever I see a manager going into Leeds, I’d always ask ‘is the job too big for him?’ With Neil, that thought doesn’t even cross my mind.”
QPR’s run to the Championship title was dominant and comprehensive but not without its complications. Unbeaten until December and permanently clear of the rest of the field, their season was threatened in the closing stages by allegations that the signing of Argentine midfielder Alejandro Faurlin had breached rules on third-party ownership.
The club were threatened with a points deduction and their fate remained in doubt until the morning of their last league game at home to Leeds when the Football Association limited their punishment to a fine. After weeks of rumour and speculation, Warnock said: “When I looked at the coverage, it destroyed us. The place was like a morgue.”
“It was a strange time,” Derry said. “On paper you thought the title was in the bag but we were all waiting to see what the FA would do.
“You need good management at times like that and Neil was brilliant. He basically said it was someone else’s responsibility, not ours. Don’t worry about it and don’t think about it. That wasn’t easy but he shielded us from the attention. He was the one answering the questions and defending the club. It’s one of the reasons we were able to hold it together.
“Obviously there are problems that need sorting at Leeds. If there weren’t problems then they wouldn’t have gone looking for a new manager.
“But the last thing they needed was an average joe. Neil’s track record in the Championship speaks for himself and, to be honest, I’d have been amazed if they hadn’t gone for him. He was the obvious choice.”
Warnock watched Leeds beat Doncaster Rovers at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon and, with that performance to ponder, admitted that there were “areas (of the squad) we have to improve if we’re not to write this season off.”
He is looking to make one emergency loan signing before Saturday’s game against Portsmouth and claimed more were required to give Leeds a realistic chance of raising themselves up from 10th and into the play-offs.
As a player who Warnock has relied on many times in the past, and someone whose pride in representing Leeds has never been a secret, Derry was bound to be viewed as a possible target. But he has played 21 times for QPR this season and does not appear to be peripheral in the plans of current Rangers manager Mark Hughes.
“My full attention is on QPR,” said Derry, who along with Rangers’ squad spent last week training in Portugal. “We’re in a dog fight and we’re all determined to get out of it.
“But Neil will do big things at Leeds. I’m certain of that. I was really pleased to hear he’d got the job because I’ve always said that pulling on the Leeds United shirt was one of the proudest moments of my career. I want them to have bigger and better days ahead and I’d fancy him to give them that.
“Neil’s a Marmite character, the old love-him or hate-him routine, but I think that’s only because you don’t really get to know his true character until he’s at your club. He’s insightful and very open.
“The fans will get a good understanding of what he’s doing and why he’s doing it. They’ll see loads of passion in him too. As for the players, they’ll get structure and discipline.
“If there are divisions up there then you’ll find that they become a strong unit in no time.
“You need unity at Leeds because people are always looking to get at you and beat you. They look for problems and weaknesses. But Neil’s record in the Championship shows that his squads don’t have many. You’d be crazy to write Leeds off now.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 39 comments to this article
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spiderbob
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 10:26 AMYou always played with passion and grit when you were here Shaun - I for one would welcome you back in the team. Warnock has surely thought about it if not already asked about it by now. A general back in our midfield would be most welcome right now and for the (hopefully) forthcoming play off scrap.
GaryB
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 10:27 PMSurprised that people still beleive it was Derry that gave the teamsheet over. I was annoyed about him not coming back but I'm now not sure what the truth of the situation was. His word against Dennis Wise............. I know who I believe!!!! Would be great to see Derry back but I can't see it happening sadly
OzTyke
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 10:03 PMI'd say it was a lay-down misere that Derry will be in the Leeds shirt very shortly. There is PLENTY of money available for loans and very good loans at that. Bates pocketed 2 million from Howson's sale and apart from a brief loan of Delph (negotiated like all the rest by Harvey maximum cost maybe 100K tops), our former midfielder and captain has NOT been replaced. So there's 1.9 million pounds sterling either sitting in our mythical warchest, or more likely under Ken's mattress where all the rest ends up.
LeedsBulldog
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 09:34 PMAccording to sheffield reporter on you tube after warnock signed he said that Montgomery may be the fella from sheff utd that warnock goes for as a leader seeing as hes out of favour with danny wilson and knows warnock,either one would do - both are leaders either one would do a job for us im sure.21ynot886 yer right it was - but i would still want him here - even if it was only for a season or two.
bramley whites
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 09:26 PMPlop plop put your teeth in the pot mine are sercure in my mouth ! not ever have i had a tooth knocked out and i have some war wounds lol night dont go to sleep with your teeth in urinal as you might just choke cough cough ............
bramley whites
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 09:25 PMPlop plop put your teeth in the pot mine are sercure in my mouth ! not ever have i had a tooth knocked out and i have some war wounds lol night dont go to sleep with your teeth in urinal as you might just choke cough cough ............
original koppite
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 08:59 PM32bramley whites.....As a matter of interest,,what is your first language and are you any better at it than you are at English?
bramley whites
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 08:22 PMUrinal slopout why do you after dig everyone out you said you was going to knock my teeth down my throat and that i would be on my knees looking for them !!! why would i look for teeth i had just swallowed you plum? and i havnt post on this because i liked derry as a player but he a double agent and you cant trust a double agent can you urinal ? And i will give grayson it when he come back to elland road and i doubt you will knock my teeth out urinal you couldnt knock a wa nk out you flower arranging girl
Donnywhite
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 08:05 PMPending Moderation
original koppite
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 07:55 PMYou muppets talk about acquisitions as if you believed you knew what you were talking about. Do you still send a wish list to Santa at Xmas?
Liam123
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 05:53 PMgrevo5 - one of our greatest servants over the last 10 years?! You're having a laugh. Forget about Dennis wise for a second, he gave the team sheet to our opposition, in my eyes that is betraying the club and his team mates, not just his manager. When he was out on loan and we needed him back, he also refused to come back, leaving us in the lurch. This is having nothing to do with Denis wise, Shaun Derry betrayed Leeds united, and I for one haven't forgot that.
grevo5
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 05:13 PMynot886 and Liam8282, are you seriously siding with the slime ball that is Dennis Wise over one of our greatest servants over the last 10 years. Would you hear Dennis Wise speaking so fondly of our club? MOT
Brain
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 05:13 PMThe sale of Derry was one of many bad decisions taken by Leeds over the past few years. I would welcome him back with open arms.
HG Leeds Fan
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 05:01 PMHe's here, he's there, he's every f'ing where - Shaun Derry! His son was born when he played for Leeds and Shaun said he would consider Leeds to be his son's team - that's good enough for me.
Braemar1234
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 04:59 PMMy view is that Warnock and Bates have agreed a deal which balances between Championship and Premiership salary for Warnock, i.e. if he gets leeds up into the premiership then he'll get a new contract anyway, so the fact its an 18 month contract is good business for both parties. In terms of Shaun Derry coming to leeds, its an obvious move as we are lacking in central midfield players plus I'm sure he would be available. As for too old, doesn't bother me as he's only played a few games and there is only 14 left anyway. About time we have a hard nut in midlfield. I know they have been offered a couple of centre backs but nothing too exciting. Can't wait for Pompey at weekend...!
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